Six Nations 2014: Peter O’Mahony returns to Ireland side for France test
Six Nations 2014: Joe Schmidt restores No6 Peter O'Mahony to his Ireland side to face France on Saturday
Joe Schmidt has restored Peter O’Mahony to his Ireland starting line-up for their showdown against France at Stade de France on Saturday.
The Munster captain replaces Iain Henderson in the number six shirt after missing Ireland 46-7 victory over Italy at Aviva Stadium last weekend.
The 24-year-old has recovered from a hamstring problem which ruled him out of the win over the Azzurri after impressing against Scotland and Wales.
Ulster fly-half Paddy Jackson loses his place on the bench as Jonny Sexton’s former Leinster team-mate Ian Madigan take his place in the 23-man squad.
The Leinster No10 hasn’t featured in this season’s Six Nations championship, with Schmidt previously favouring Jackson as the option from the replacements bench.
Munster scrum-half Conor Murray and Leinster loosehead prop Cian Healy have recovered from injuries in the Italy clash to take their place in the starting XV.
Ireland XV to play France: R Kearney; A Trimble, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, D Kearney; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross; D Toner, P O’Connell (capt); P O’Mahony, C Henry, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, M Moore, I Henderson, J Murphy, E Reddan, Ian Madigan, F McFadden.
